Source: Radio New Zealand
Apollo Projects Stadium will host Super Rugby for the final time this weekend. Photosport / John Davidson
A bittersweet farewell awaits the Crusaders.
The stadium built to be their temporary home, where the side built a dynasty, will host Super Rugby for the final time this weekend.
Addington was not a state of the art, world class facility, and felt like sitting in a chest freezer for fans, but it provided a home for the franchise after its previous ground was destroyed.
Now, 14 years since the earthquake that shattered a city, a new chapter for the competition’s most successful franchise will be written as they vacate Apollo Projects for the new $683 million Te Kaha Stadium.
The Fijian Drua have the honour of sharing the Addington pitch with the Crusaders for the last time, looking to snap a horrendous record on the road. Elsewhere, the Chiefs will host the Waratahs in Hamilton, both sides fresh off victories away from home.
The Chiefs have a long list of injuries, calling on another debutant for Saturday night’s clash.
Elsewhere, former Australia rugby league international Zac Lomax is set to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench for the Western Force against the Reds, having last played the 15-man game as a child.
Moana Pasifika, the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Blues will all sit out Easter Weekend with a bye.
The men from the capital will keep their spot on top of the table, regardless of the weekend’s results.
Selection notes
Codie Taylor will join the 150 club, bringing up the milestone in his final match at Addington.
Fellow hooker Jack Sexton, son of former Crusader Matt, will make his debut from the pine.
Chiefs prop Reuben O’Neill will play his 50th Super Rugby match while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is set to make his debut off the bench.
Cristian Lio‑Willie will play his 50th Crusaders game.
Chief’s first five Damian McKenzie is set to return in round nine, sitting out with a concussion, while Wallace Sititi’s hamstring is still a week or two away from full fitness.
Etene Nanai-Seturo is also out for the week with a foot injury.
Crusader’s prop Tamaiti Williams will miss the rest of the season as he recovers from discitis, an infection in one of his spinal discs while captain David Havili is still nursing a heel injury, and is not due back for at least a fortnight.
Key stats
- The Fijian Drua have lost their last 11 consecutive games in New Zealand
- Will Jordan is the only player to carry the ball for an average of 100+ metres per match
- The Chiefs have missed the fewest tackles of any team this season
- The Chiefs are on an eight-game winning streak at home against teams from Australia
Crusaders vs Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 3 April
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ
Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Corey Kellow 7. Johnny Lee 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Taha Kemara 11. Sevu Reece 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan (c)
Bench: 16. George Bell 17. Jack Sexton (debut) 18. Seb Calder 19. Tahlor Cahill 20. Dom Gardiner 21. Louie Chapman 22. Rivez Reihana 23. Braydon Ennor.
“There will definitely be some emotion. The best thing we can do is honour it and honour the fans by playing well. That’s our goal,” Crusaders coach Rob Penney said.
Chiefs vs Waratahs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday April 4
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ
Chiefs:
1. Ollie Norris 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Reuben O’Neill 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Samipeni Finau 7. Luke Jacobson (c) 8. Kaylum Boshier 9. Xavier Roe 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Kyren Taumoefolau 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Leroy Carter 14. Emoni Narawa 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Jared Profitt 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Simon Parker 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Kyle Brown 23. Daniel Sinkinson (debut).
“We have a few out injured, which is normal in this tough competition, but the quality of the side we’re able to field shows the depth we have throughout the squad and our wider training group,” Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbes said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
